Chinese Astrology

This woodcut diagram illustrates celestial phenomena, likely for divinatory or meteorological purposes. The character '日' (Sun) is central to both depictions, shown once amidst straight rays and once surrounded by undulating cloud forms. Such illustrations were common in early modern Chinese texts that sought to interpret natural signs as omens or to document atmospheric observations.

This woodcut depicts the Longma, a mythical dragon-horse that, according to legend, emerged from the Yellow River carrying the sacred 'He Tu' diagram on its back. The creature is shown in a powerful stance surrounded by auspicious clouds and swirling waters, representing a moment of divine revelation and the establishment of cosmic order.

This intricate page from a 1657 astrological guide depicts the 'Colorful Phoenix Delivering the Heavenly Book' (Cai Feng Xie Tian Shu). At the top, a circular diagram displays the Eight Trigrams (Bagua) used in traditional Chinese divination, while below, a dynamic woodcut of a phoenix emerges from celestial clouds, symbolizing the divine transmission of cosmic knowledge and the auspicious nature of the text.

This woodcut illustration accompanies the text for the 'Gou' hexagram (天風姤) in a 1550 edition of the Yi Jing. It depicts a group of figures in traditional Ming-era attire, possibly representing a meeting or an encounter, which is central to the hexagram's meaning of 'coming to meet'. The inclusion of a deer in the upper corner adds a layer of symbolic meaning, often associated with prosperity or official status in Chinese iconography.

This woodcut illustration from a 1550 edition of the Yi Jing (Book of Changes) depicts four allegorical scenes associated with the Qian hexagram. The images—a man climbing a ladder, a deer in the clouds, a craftsman carving jade, and a mountain—serve as visual aids for interpreting the hexagram's meaning of strength, creativity, and success.

This illustration depicts a solar halo with six concentric rings, interpreted in traditional Chinese culture as a significant celestial omen. Set against a serene landscape of jagged peaks and sparse vegetation, the image serves both as a record of an astronomical observation and a symbolic warning of political or social change.

This woodcut diagram from the 1607 encyclopedia Sancai Tuhui illustrates the 'Horn' (Jiao) mansion, the first of the seven lunar mansions of the East. It depicts the relative positions of stars and constellations as understood in traditional Chinese astronomy, with labels indicating specific celestial features and cardinal directions. Such charts were vital for both timekeeping and astrological practices in early modern China.

This woodcut diagram illustrates the 'Juan She' (Rolled Tongue) asterism, a group of stars within the traditional Chinese celestial system. Produced by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau in 1750, it reflects the sophisticated astronomical knowledge and mapping techniques of the Qing Dynasty, used for calculating celestial positions and lunar mansions.

This woodcut diagram, titled 'Diagram of the White Tiger for Marriage' (行嫁白虎圖), originates from the Ming dynasty encyclopedia Sancai Tuhui. It serves as a divinatory tool for determining auspicious days for wedding ceremonies based on traditional Chinese cosmological principles. The circular arrangement of characters represents different spatial or temporal influences that must be balanced to ensure a harmonious union.